Vero Beach Regional Airport marks a significant milestone in local aviation and connectivity today, February 12, as it welcomes the inaugural arrival of American Airlines. This event signals a major expansion for the local transportation hub, which has seen a dramatic transformation in service options over the last few years.
Following a period where the airport was left without any passenger service after Elite Airways departed on June 30, 2022, the facility has rebounded impressively. With today’s arrival, the airport now hosts three major carriers, offering residents and visitors unprecedented access to the Treasure Coast.
American Airlines Flight 5650, originating from Charlotte, North Carolina, is scheduled to touch down at 11:30 a.m. The arrival is part of a busy morning on the tarmac, slotting in just after a Breeze Airways flight arrives from Hartford, Connecticut, and shortly before JetBlue flights arrive from Boston and New York City.
Flight Details and Schedule
American Airlines, headquartered in Dallas-Fort Worth, will operate this new route with one daily roundtrip flight. The service utilizes a Bombardier CRJ900 regional jet, which offers a passenger capacity of between 76 and 90 seats.
The schedule for the inaugural service is tight and efficient. After landing at 11:30 a.m., Flight 5650 is set for a quick turnaround, scheduled to depart Vero Beach for the return trip to Charlotte at noon.
Airport Director Todd Scher noted the increasing activity at the terminal, stating that Thursdays and Sundays are now set to be the busiest days for operations. On these peak days, the airport will handle eight scheduled departures across the three airlines.
Connecting Vero Beach to the World
The addition of the Charlotte route opens up massive connectivity options for local travelers. Charlotte Douglas International Airport serves as American Airlines’ second-largest hub in the United States, surpassed only by Dallas-Fort Worth.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport offers more than 670 daily flights to over 170 destinations across 27 countries, significantly expanding the global reach for Vero Beach residents.
This new service complements the existing routes established by Breeze Airways, which has been serving the area since 2023, and JetBlue, which launched flights to Boston and New York in December.
To commemorate this expansion, the city and the airport have organized a private celebration to welcome American Airlines, mirroring the festivities held for JetBlue’s inaugural flight just a few months prior. This growth underscores Vero Beach’s rising profile as a key destination and a convenient starting point for international travel.
